A US judge in Utah, USA ruled that the state’s ban on gay unions is unconstitutional.
Judge Robert Shelby ruled a voter-passed 2004 ban violates the same-sex couples’ rights to equal protection.
Gay couples lined up in Salt Lake City, Utah, to be married hours after the ruling as the county clerk began issuing the licences. Among them was the State Senator Jim Dabakis, chairman of the Utah’s Democratic party with his long-time partner Stephen Justesen.
State officials have stated that they would appeal against the ruling and seek a order to prevent further marriages.
